S. Sudanese bishop says “bad governance” sparked conflict

June 6, 2014 (JUBA) – A South Sudanese bishop has attributed the country’s ongoing conflict, which has claimed several lives, to "bad governance", pointing out that leaders at various levels had failed to change from rebel commanders to politicians.

South Sudanese president Salva Kiir (L) and rebel leader Riek Machar (R) hold the hands of two clergymen during the opening prayer of the signing of a cessation of hostilities agreement on 9 May 2014, in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa (Photo: AFP/Zacharias Abubeker)

The bishop of the Episcopal Church of Wau Diocese, Moses Deng, explained in the diocesan newsletter that “the country is ruled by former rebel generals from the president to state governors down to the county commissioners.

Nearly a million people, the United Nations says, have been internally displaced in the country since the conflict started five months back, with thousands killed. The country also faces major food crisis and the UN has warned of its dire consequences if immediate actions were not taken.

“It has had to really imagine 900,000 people because it is a number that may have no meaning to you. But if you stop and think of how many people live in the town or city where you live then suddenly you can understand better how big this number is", Bishop Deng explained in the Diocesan newsletter shared with many church friends and partners globally.

“All these people have been forced from where they live and now must exist by the kindness of others as refugees in the country that not so long ago they fought for, voted for and gave so much to defend. All that they had is gone and the life that they led is stopped," added the renowned cleric.

The bishop said the country’s leaders should adhere to provisions of agreements they signed in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa. He, however, said despite the peace deal, fighting and killings have been intense for five months causing much devastation.

The church, the bishop stressed, has a responsibility to help bring about peace and reconciliation in times of conflict and disagreements, further explaining what the church was doing to help end the country’s raging conflict.

“The church has been playing a great role in peace and reconciliation. Had it not been for the church, South Sudan would not be where it is today, but could have been worse than Somalia", said bishop Deng.

He said religious institutions had not at all failed in efforts to bring about peace and it was simply a matter of time before everlasting peace returned to the new nation.

“The Anglican church and other church organisations are praying and working hard to build and bring lasting peace to our country,” said the bishop, citing the current role being played by South Sudan Council of Churches as observers and advisers to the warring parties at the Addis Ababa peace talks.

“The church is also part of the National Platform for Peace and Reconciliation (NPPR) which brings together the three national peace and reconciliation mandated institutions, the National Committee for Healing, Peace and Reconciliation led by the Anglican Archbishop Daniel Deng Bul, Peace Commission and Parliamentary Committee on Peace and Reconciliation,” he explained.

ETHNIC LINES

The bishop also expressed worries that the country had been divided along ethnic lines and that the conflict was affecting the unity of the Anglican Church in the country.

“The Anglican Church cuts across ethnic divides and we are working hard to ensure that the church remains united as it is the only institution which will facilitate reconciliation of our people", wrote bishop Deng.

“No one is blameless in this and as a country and a people we must wake up to the truth that this situation cannot be allowed and we must look for a peace that binds us all if we are going to be a country", his letter added.

(ST)

Comments on the Sudan Tribune website must abide by the following rules. Contravention of these rules will lead to the user losing their Sudan Tribune account with immediate effect.

- No inciting violence
- No inappropriate or offensive language
- No racism, tribalism or sectarianism
- No inappropriate or derogatory remarks
- No deviation from the topic of the article
- No advertising, spamming or links
- No incomprehensible comments

Due to the unprecedented amount of racist and offensive language on the site, Sudan Tribune tries to vet all comments on the site.

There is now also a limit of 400 words per comment. If you want to express yourself in more detail than this allows, please e-mail your comment as an article to comment@sudantribune.com

Kind regards,

The Sudan Tribune editorial team.

7 June 2014 19:58, by Tong dut

If the bishops refused that dinka,not all dinkas, kiir the dog, ha ha ha ha.wait only for one s,

No one is blameless in this.Some has to be blamed ’Bishop’ and that’s must be war lord Riek Machar who want to rule with out being elected by the people of South Sudan. Why not wait for next year election,but only to create a mess.

Africa and UK Brexit2018-03-10 22:34:34
By Ambassador Dhano Obongo
Brexit is the media usage for Britain exiting the European Union (EU). After four decades of membership, last year England voted to quit the EU. Trade impacts will (...)

Petition for release of Agou John Wuoi from prison2018-02-15 20:45:31
Open letter to South Sudan President Salva Kiir
Your Excellency,
Kindly please permit me to take this rare opportunity to appreciate you for every effort you have made toward making South Sudan (...)